Tensions between EastEnders’ Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) reach boiling point next week as Phil drops a bombshell about Nigel Bates’ (Paul Bradley).

Julie was recently reunited with her estranged husband Nigel, who had walked out on their life together in a bid to hide his dementia diagnosis from her.

While she had planned to take him back home to Scotland to look after him, Nigel ultimately decided he wanted to stay in Walford with his old friend Phil, who he had been living with since returning to the BBC soap after 27 years at Christmas.

Ultimately, Phil invited Julie to move in with him and Nigel at No.18, but things haven’t exactly been smooth sailing between the pair.

After a short trip back to Scotland, Nigel and Julie arrive back on the Square with their three pet chickens next week, and Phil is soon struggling with the new dynamic in his household.

As Julie gets busy organising everything and making decisions, Phil gets annoyed that she’s changing Nigel’s routine.

He’s further agitated when the chickens keep everyone awake, making his relationship with Julie even more strained.

When the pair both accompany Nigel to an assessment, he gets stressed by their constant sniping, which results in an almighty clash between Phil and Julie over their different approaches to Nigel’s care.

But Phil then has an outburst which leaves Julie shocked to the core, and she’s left demanding answers about the revelation.

Can the pair put aside their differences and give Nigel the united support he needs?

Actress Karen Henthorn recently reprised her role as Julie, 27 years after her character moved to Scotland to start a new life with Nigel.

She said of her return: ‘It’s very surreal to be back in Albert Square and working with the delightful Paul Bradley again – it’s scary how fast the time has gone!’